State government cites Child’s Rights and Criminal Laws, warns offenders of up to 14 years’ imprisonment

The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to content creators, influencers, and digital media producers who use children in online content that violates child protection laws, stressing that such actions will attract criminal sanctions.

The warning was contained in a joint statement signed by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, and the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi.

According to the statement, the government’s action follows growing concerns over the increasing portrayal of minors in harmful, exploitative, or inappropriate digital content across social media platforms.

The state government emphasized that children are a legally protected class under Nigerian law and must not be exposed to content that compromises their dignity, safety, or psychological well-being.

“Involving minors in content that depicts abuse, sexual themes, harmful stereotypes, or unsafe scenarios is not only unethical but also contrary to existing laws designed to protect children,” the statement read.

The government further warned that any individual who creates, distributes, or profits from content that sexualises, exploits, or endangers minors commits a criminal offence under multiple legal frameworks.

“Under Nigerian law, creating, distributing, or profiting from content that sexualises, abuses, or endangers minors constitutes a criminal offence,” it added.

The statement cited relevant provisions of the law, including Sections 25(1) and 26 of the Lagos State Child’s Rights Law (2015), which prohibit exploitative child labour and all forms of child abuse. It also referenced Sections 135–139 and 141 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015), which address sexual offences against children.

Additionally, Section 32 of the Child’s Rights Act prescribes a penalty of up to 14 years’ imprisonment for the sexual abuse or exploitation of a child.

The Lagos State Government urged digital creators to familiarise themselves with child protection laws and ensure that all content involving minors complies strictly with legal and ethical standards.